Meet The People's Tour 2026

As part of the 2026 Meet the People’s Tour, His Excellency President Adama Barrow visited selected businesses across The Gambia to assess their operations and understand their contributions to national economic development. The visits included local manufacturing enterprises, some of which are beneficiaries of investment and incentives provided through the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA). The tour began from 1st to 19th October 2026.

The visits highlighted the role of local industries in promoting domestic production, creating employment opportunities, developing technical skills, and reducing reliance on imported products. The businesses visited included the following: 

1. Happy Nappies Gambia Ltd

A Gambian own business engaged in the local production of baby nappies and diapers. Its operations supports local manufacturing, employment creation and the availability of locally produced hygiene products. The company’s growth could help reduce dependence on imported diapers. 

2. Lotus Industries Limited

A manufacturing company specializing in detergents, liquid soap and traditional local soap. The company employed over 100 young Gambians and It contributes to local production and employment in the manufacturing sector.

3. Sofax Company Limited 

 A furniture manufacturing business specializes in the production of sofas and upholstered furniture. Its product range includes living-room sofa, sectional sofas, dining furniture, bedroom furniture and designer chairs. The company promotes locally manufactured furniture and custom-made designs for residential and commercial customers.

4. Applied Research, Innovation and Manufacturing Company Limited (ARIM)

Owned by a young and innovative Gambian engineer based in the Busumbala. The enterprise manufactures agricultural and construction equipment and promotes local innovation and technical skills. The company employs more than 20 people.

5. Pasma Company Limited

A Gambian owned food commodity supply, distribution and logistics company based in Jambanjelly. It supplies essential commodities such as rice, sugar, vegetable oil, onions and potatoes. The company is expanding it business to building cold storage to cater for the post harvest lost we experience by the farmers. This will strengthen supply-chain for all year around food supply and boost regional trade. 

6. Blue Finn Company Limited

Blue Finn Company Ltd is a woman-led seafood processing and supply business based in Tanji, in The Gambia’s West Coast Region. Established in 2021, the company processes and supplying seafood to domestic and potential international markets.

7. SMJ Shipyard

A shipyard located at Denton Bridge, involved in maritime and ship building-related activities. The company will support vessel servicing, maritime infrastructure, technical skills and the development of marine-related services. 

8. United Vegetable Oil Company Limited

An enterprise associated with vegetable oil production, processing and bottling. The company is contributing to the food-self sufficiency Gambia, by supplying domestic market and import substitution. And creates employment to over 100 young Gambians especially women. 

9. Gambisara White House Company

A company that manufactures diapers, sanitary pads, kitchen towels, paper handkerchiefs, restaurant napkins and facemasks. However, the activities that are currently being carried out by the company is toilet paper and napkins 

For the Special Investment Certificate (SIC) and Export Processing Zone License (EPZL) holders, the visits provided an opportunity to highlight GIEPA’S efforts in promoting and facilitating foreign direct investment and domestic investments. The visit is also important for the President to see and get facts about the businesses that are benefiting from tax incentives. It showcases their operations, investment progress, production capacity, and contribution to employment and economic growth. They also reinforced the importance of monitoring investment commitments and identifying challenges affecting business expansion and operational efficiency.